DNV presents new LNG driven tanker

Norwegian classification company Det Norske Veritas (DNV) has presented a new crude oil tanker concept that is fuelled by liquefied natural gas, and will almost eliminate local air pollution.

Published: 06.01.2011

The new crude oil concept vessel, named Triality, has been developed through a DNV innovation project. As its name indicates, it fulfils three main goals: it is environmentally superior to a conventional crude oil tanker, its new solutions are feasible and based on well known technology, and it is financially attractive compared to conventional crude oil tankers operating on heavy fuel oil.

DNV CEO Henrik O. Madsen, who presented the new concept in its VLCC version in London this week, says: “I am convinced that gas will become the dominant fuel for merchant ships. By 2020, the majority of owners will order ships that can operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG). As a leading class society, DNV has an important role to play in finding more environmentally friendly solutions for the shipping industry, and I’m proud of what has been achieved for the crude oil tanker segment through this innovation project that we are presenting today.”

The Triality concept VLCC has been compared to a conventional VLCC. Both ships have the same operational range and can operate in the ordinary spot market.

Compared to the traditional VLCC, the Triality VLCC will according to DNV:

Less harm will also be caused to the health of people living close to busy shipping routes and ports as NOx emissions will be reduced by more than 80% while emissions of SOx and particulate matter will fall by as much as 95%.

The new concept tanker has two high pressure dual fuel slow speed main engines fuelled by LNG, with marine gas oil as pilot fuel. The next phase of the Triality concept development will review the use of dual fuel medium speed engines and pure gas engines.

Two IMO type C pressure tanks capable of holding 13 500 m3 LNG - enough for 25 000 nautical miles of operation - are located on the deck in front of the superstructure. The generators are dual fuel (LNG and marine gas oil) while the auxiliary boilers producing steam for the cargo oil pumps operate on recovered cargo vapours (VOCs).